Get Outside for Hands on Learning
Our Nature Guides lead your class on an outdoor learning adventure!

  • All trips are standards-based and correlated to state and national standards. See lesson plan pages for more detail.
  • The field trips use the watershed as an overarching concept while incorporating the local history and ecology at each site. 
  • These field trips are turn-key. All you have to do is schedule a bus and show up with chaperones.
  • Public School 5th grade classes can recieve grant funding through SWFWMD. Consult your School District for more information.
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Our Most Popular Trips

Birding ID Field Trips
Southwest Florida is a birders paradise! We are lucky to have 2 Audobon distinguished preserves to explore native species  in natural settings:
  • Celery Fields
  • Felt's Preserve

​Read more about our birding trips and review lesson plans.
Aquatic Dip Netting Field Trips
The sensitive estuaries found in our local rivers and bays provide unmatched opportunities to observe species like crabs, fish, seahorses, and more! Tours available in:
  • Manatee River
  • Sarasota Bay

Read more about our dip netting and review lesson plans.
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How it Works

  1. Teacher Requests Trip- Fill out Request Form with your contact information and 1 or 2 proposed dates.
  2. ATB Confirms Date - A representative will respond by email wihtin 48 hours to explain the process.
  3. Teacher Schedules Bus - This is the responsibility of the teacher, and if grant funded-plesae fill out the bus reimbursement form.
  4. Both Plan Together - ATB will share powepoints about the location and what to bring. This is for teachers, and can be shared with the students to prepare for the trip.
  5. Everyone Keeps in Touch - Contact your representative to communicate any schedule changes and update day-of logistics. ATB will monitor weather adn confrim the day before.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the maximum amount of students?
    • 50-60 per park per day. Typically that is comprised of 2 classrooms, which will be split into 2 groups that rotate between 2 different stations: Land and Water. Around the Bend provides at least 3 guides. 
  • How many chaperones are required?
    • Follow your school guidelines. Around the Bend expects at least 1 adult per 10 children. Please no more than 8 chaperones. 
  • What do I have to plan as a teacher?
    • The most important thing to prepare for is instruction on how to dress. Mandatory: Secure footwear to get wet (like water shoes, crocs, or sandles with ankle straps) and a towel to dry off. Optional: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and/or windbreaker (dependant on weather).
    • Schedule a bus.
    • Incorporate lessons on the water cycle and estuaries into that week's teaching plan.
  • How do I take advantage of the SWFWMD grant funding?
    • Only available to public schools. Talk to the Science coordinator at your county's school district. Grant funds will cover 100% of the field trip and bus fees.
  • How long is the field trip?
    • 2 hours - Typically, field trips begin in the park between 9:30-10:00 and last until noon.​
    • We can adjust to your bus transportation availability.
    • You can stay and have lunch onsite after the tour.